Carriage for bicycle-saddles



(No Model.)

C. E. VAIL. CARRIAGE POR BICYCLE SADDLES.

4 No. 577,086. Patented Peb. 16, 1897.'

W/TNESSES:

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UNrrnn STATES PATnNT Ormes. l

CHARLES E. VAIL, OF SALT` LAKE CITY, UTAH.

CARRlAGE FOR BICYCLE-SADDLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 577,086, dated February 16, 1897. Application filed July 26, 1895. Renewed December 19, 1896. Serial NoL 616,333. (No model To @ZZ whom, t may concern:

Be it known that l, CHARLES E. VAIL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Salt Lake City, inthe county of Salt Lake and Territory of Utah, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Carriages for Bicycle-Saddles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved carriage for bicycle-saddles, its object being to provide a carriage which will act as a cushion to take up the concussion incident to the passage of the bicycle over rough surfaces and which will furthermore afford comfort and easeto the rider.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a bicycle-saddle and saddle-post, showing my invention as applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the saddle-carriage. Fig. 3 is a bottom or inverted plan view, parts being broken away to show the construction. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectionalview on the line rr, Fig. 3, and looking rearwardly. Fig. 5 is a detail vertical sectional view illustrating` a modification. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view illustrating another modification.

Corresponding parts in all the gures are` denoted by the same letters of reference.

Referring to the drawings, A designates a rigid member mounted on the upper end of an upright saddle-post B. This member A is in the form of an approximately horizontal plate and when in position occupies a longitudinal plane relative to the bicycle. At the center of this plate is provided a chamber C, the purpose of which will appear farther on.

D designates a casing adapted to receive and work upon the member A, and is provided with suitable means upon its top surface for mounting a saddle X. The casing is open at its rear end to allow for its movement upon the member A, and at the rear portion of its under side, the bottom plate cl of the casing covering only the forward portion thereof.

The casing D is designed to have a rearwardly-yielding movement upon the member A, and to this end the carriage is provided with the means which will now be described. J ournaled transversely within the chamber C of the member A is a horizontal bearingpin E, having rigidly mounted at its center a spur-wheel F. The latter engages with a countersunk rack G, provided longitudinally at the under side of the top plate of the casing D, said spur-wheel projecting a suliicient distance above the top surface of the member A to keep the latter free from contact with the top plate of the casing.

Disposed upon the bearing-pin E at each side of the spur-wheel is a coil-spring H, one

end of each of the latter being secured to said bearing-pin and the free end rigidly connected with the member A.

The casing D is held in place upon the member A and limited in its forward movement by a bolt I, passing through the rear ends of the sides CZ' cl of the casing and under the member A, the latter having a shoulder a, which contacts with the bolt I.

The operation and advantages of my invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which it appertains.

The saddle being to the rear of a vertical line taken through the shaft of the pedals, application of power to the latter forward of such a line, as is always the case, causes the rider to exert a rearward pressure upon the saddle. With the present device such rearward pressure causes the casing D to slide rearwardly upon the member A. D urin g this movement the bearing-pin E is caused to turn, through the medium of the spur-wheel .F and rack G, against the tension of the springs H. When the pressure upon the saddle is momentarily lessened through the jolting and jarring of the bicycle in its passage over rough surfaces, the springs serve to urge the casing carrying the saddle'to its normal forward position ready for the next shock. It will thus be seen that the carriage effectually serves as a cushion to take up all concussion, relieving the bicycle of strain and at the same time affording comfort and security to the rider.

Vhile I have herein shown the preferred means for carrying out my invention, it will be obvious that modifications may be legitimately made in the details of construction. For instance, as shown in Fig. 5, the spurwheel F and the rack G may be omitted. and a simple frictional wheel J employed. The springs-H may also be constructed from .a flat strip, as shown in Fig. 6. It will be further obvious that the mechanism is inclosed,

IOO

thus rendering the carriage practically dustproof. Y

' I Claim as my invention- 1. As an improvement in bicycle-saddle earriages, the eombin ation, with a fixed member provided With a rotatable, spring-Controlled Wheel, of a easing mounted on said fixed member and adapted by its movement in one direction to rotate said Wheel against the tension of its spring` mechanism; substantially as set forth.

2. As an improvement in bicycle-saddle earriages, the combination, with a fixed member A fixed member and provided With a rack meshing with said spur-Wheel; substantially as set forth.

4. As an improvement in bicycle-saddle earriages, the Combination, with a xed member adapted to be carried by the saddle-post, said member comprising a flat plate and provided with a Central chamber, a bearing-pin journaled transversely in said Chamber and carrying a fixed spur-Wheel, a Coil-spring` disposed on the bearing-pin at each side of the spurwheel, said springs having one end secured to the bearing-pin and the free end Connected with the fixed member, 0f a easing mounted on said member and provided with a rack meshing,` With the spur-Wheel, and means for connecting the xed member and casing together and for limiting the movement of the latter; substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES E. VAIL. lVitnesses:

I-I. S. MCCALLUM, A. L. HOPPAUGH. 

